The portraits collection of the Historical Photo Department of the National Museum consists of nearly 40 thousand photographs taken of more than 15 thousand people by amateur and private photographers in studios, in the natural surroundings of the people portrayed or at events.

In the framework of the Budapest Photo Festival the diversity and richness of the collection is shown via 14 photographs ranging from proto-photos to our times. The history of photography, the diverse technical solutions applied and the relationship between the models and the photographers are reflected in the social ranks, professions and ages of the different personalities illustrated by the photos.